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2011 a big year for Yellowknife Yellowknifer - Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Economically, 2010 was an improvement over 2009: there were no recession-induced shutdowns at any of the three diamond mines in the territory and the long-awaited approval for the Mackenzie Valley pipeline promises another boom on the horizon - if it ever does get built. Still, Yellowknife's diamond cutting and polishing industry remains on the ropes, there are too many empty retail spaces in the city, and the cost of living here continues to be a cause for concern. Mayor Gord Van Tighem can point to many successes in beautifying the city, reducing our carbon footprint and providing state-of-the-art facilities. But when he says it's been the city's good fortune that there has been government grants to help pay for these projects, he and council colleagues would be wise to acknowledge many gifts from Ottawa come with strings attached, which require a corresponding amount of financial support from city ratepayers. That city spending has doubled to $60 million from 10 years ago should be raising alarm bells. The city is embarking on the biggest capital project it has ever attempted with its plan to tap underground heat from Con Mine to create a geothermal heating system for the city's downtown core. The $60.4 million project holds promise but the city's spending habits over the last several years are reason enough to be wary of it. City council must resist the temptation to plow ahead with the plan if administration is unable to categorically demonstrate that the rewards far outweigh the risks. Another massive capital project awaits its moment of truth this year. Construction on the $182 million and climbing Deh Cho Bridge is expected to conclude in November. Its completion means the days of worrying about erratic ferry service and gas shortages are over. But a permanent link to the south also raises questions about the federal government's attitude toward its employees here and the continuation of their northern living allowances. There is also uncertainty about how much the price of goods will rise once transportation companies shift bridge tolls onto consumers. To date, the territorial government has not be able to convince many residents the bridge - which is dependent upon the commercial tolls to pay it off over the next 35 years - was a worthwhile investment. Speaking of the GNWT, the legislative assembly is entering into an election year. Many people have been disappointed with the performance of the government since the last election. Premier Floyd Roland's personal failings and uninspiring leadership haven't helped, but the frustration runs deeper than that. Residents are searching for a government that doesn't need to be browbeaten every time it unveils policies that prove unpopular, whether it be making seniors pay for supplementary health benefits or merging elected schools boards into appointed ones. Hopefully, some strong MLA candidates step forward for 2011. On the social front, the opening of the day shelter was good news but more is needed. The Yellowknife YWCA has been tasked with building a women's transitional home as a companion to Bailey House, where homeless men can turn their lives around. Social problems continue to dog Yellowknife, which is all the more reason for city leaders to get behind the women's home. All in all, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about 2011, but still some need to worry. Most Yellowknifers would probably be content with some strong vision from government and a few less pennies draining from their pockets.
Thanks to contributors and respect for Tootoo Darrell Greer Kivalliq News - Wednesday, January 5, 2011 Well, valued readers, here we are at the start of a brand-new year in 2011. May I wish you all a prosperous new year. As always, I like to start the new year by thanking the people across the Kivalliq who help me keep this publication truly regional. Gord Billard returned to Arviat in 2010, and he picked up right where he left off in sending me numerous photos and great story ideas from his community. Noel Kaludjak always goes above and beyond the call in helping me keep up with what's happening in his community of Coral Harbour, and his photography skills just keep getting better and better. Glen Brocklebank continues to send photos and information from Chesterfield Inlet, despite the fact his hands are pretty full as a father these days. There are many others in the region who help out from time to time, especially when it comes to sending photos, and I owe each and every one of them a huge thank you for their efforts. And last, but by no means least, there is another group of folks who I hold in great esteem, but can never name publicly. They are the people who let me know when certain leaders, organizations, agencies and the government, itself, stray from the straight-and-narrow path. These folks help us shine the light of openness and accountability into the darkest of corners, and they're to be commended for their honesty and integrity. Being a journalist often prevents me from becoming good friends with a number of people who I'd love to know better. It's simply the nature of the beast in this vocation for those of us who try to do our job in a professional manner. Put a group of people in a room talking about what went on at any given event -- and only a police officer can silence the open talk quicker than the local scribe, simply by entering the room. During my time in the Kivalliq, I've become a fan and respectful admirer -- if not a true friend -- of a number of people from various walks of life. That list includes local politicians who went on to become cabinet ministers and those who worked so hard to make Nunavut a reality and bring Inuit the respect they deserve, to educators and regular folks who work so hard to make their community a better place to live. Among those I respect so much is one Mr. Jordin Tootoo. And, my admiration for the young man grew in leaps and bounds this past week when he admitted he had a problem and decided to do something about it. One thing the Tootoo Train has never been short on is internal fortitude (read: guts) and this took a ton of it. All of Nunavut should admire the courage it took for Tootoo to face his problem, and show him nothing but total support in his attempt to overcome it. None of us are perfect, not even NHL stars. As human beings we all make mistakes, but the true measure of our character is in admitting our mistakes and doing what it takes to correct them. On those fronts, Tootoo has just become a 50-goal scorer.
Poor foresight NWT News/North - Monday, January 3, 2011
Two of the biggest catalysts for change are the possibility of a devolution deal with Ottawa and the approval of the Mackenzie Valley Gas Pipeline. Although we expect a devolution deal will not be finalized in 2011, discussions surrounding the GNWT's agreement in principle with Ottawa will spark a lot of debate among aboriginal governments. The territorial government has said it will move forward without the support of the aboriginal governments, but the backing of First Nations and Metis groups would go a long way towards settling an agreement faster and ensuring the deal is equitable for all parties involved. Negotiating a devolution deal will require strong resolve on the part of Premier Floyd Roland. The GNWT cannot simply ink the first deal that comes across its desk and must keep in mind the poor deal the Yukon was saddled with when it finally assumed provincial powers. Although the construction of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline is still at least four years away its approval by the National Energy Board will help to restart the NWT's stagnating oil and gas sector. Companies have already expressed interest in restarting paused exploration programs by 2013 and interest in the annual Inuvik Petroleum Show surged following the December announcement. Unfortunately, low natural gas prices mean there are no guarantees the project will go forward, but the federal government and the NWT must step up their training of NWT workers to ensure they can capitalize on the hundreds of construction jobs the $16-billion project will possibly create. Even if the project proves unfeasible, that training will be invaluable to those looking for skilled work. November should mark the completion of another major infrastructure project -- the Deh Cho Bridge. The bridge has been a source of criticism since it was signed during what many considered a questionable back-room deal in 2007. Since then the project has been plagued by cost overruns, construction delays and mismanagement. Although the hope is a year-round road link to the south will reduce the cost of goods, we expect bridge tolls on transport trucks will have the opposite effect. More cost overruns and a final bill exceeding $200 million are possibilities before we get there. Power rates and food -- two of the territory's major cost of living factors -- will hopefully benefit from significant changes in 2011. The standardization of power rates across the territory will mean cheaper electricity for NWT businesses, community governments and a few residents using more than the government subsidy cap. Hopefully cost savings at the commercial and municipal levels will mean lower costs for goods and services and more spending power for community governments. Changes to the Food Mail program -- now Nutrition North -- will mean reduced cost for nutritious foods and staples such as milk, although it has been criticized for increasing the cost of products such as bacon. We encourage consumers to watch closely to ensure stores in their area are passing on the reduced shipping cost. On the athletics front, some sports enthusiasts across the North will be training hard in 2011 in preparation for the 2012 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse. Team NWT will be vying to improve on its third place finish during the 2010 games in Grande Prairie. Sport North will also be looking to match its participation levels from 2008 when the most community athletes represented the territory. We also wish all our athletes the best of luck who are travelling to Halifax for the 2011 Canada Winter Games in February. Our teams usually find themselves in tough when facing the top athletes from across the nation but we always find ways to shine and often have a few surprises up our sleeves.
Learn from Inuit Nunavut News/North - Monday, January 3, 2011 Polar bears. Seals. Narwhal. The list of Nunavut species becoming the focal point of international lobbying efforts is growing. The federal government is bending to the wishes of global conservationists, while largely ignoring the Inuit who have traditionally sustained themselves on these animals and know them best. In the latter stages of 2010, Nunavut harvesters were slapped with a couple of unwelcomed announcements, one being the U.S. threatening to list ringed seals as an endangered species. The other announcement was narwhal tusks from 17 communities could no longer be exported outside the country. That means fewer customers for hunters, who could have supplemented their often modest incomes by a few thousand dollars per tusk. Officials with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans said the decision to ban the sale of tusks from those communities was made to ensure Canada meets its international obligations, which apparently are to mollify animal lovers from around the world. The alleged concern is that narwhal numbers among certain Nunavut populations are too low. It should be noted that the government is not reducing the quota - 594 narwhal were harvested in 2009; those came from a population of close to 80,000 of the mammals in northeastern Canada. Instead, the government is trying to prevent international trade in ivory tusks. The population figure for narwhal was revised from earlier this year due to a new counting system. Previous estimates were around 30,000 This is reminiscent of the federal government's gaffe in 2008 when it admitted the number of bowhead whales in Nunavut's waters were indeed healthy, just as Nunavummiut had been telling them. In that case the Department of Fisheries, again due to changing scientific methods, revised its estimates from 345 bowheads to an approximately 14,000. Nunavut Tunngavik's newly installed president, Cathy Towtongie, has already taken the feds to task and demanded a reversal of the narwhal tusk decision. She said a court case is an option. Last August, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association was successful in its legal action to prevent seismic testing off of Nunavut's eastern shores. QIA president Okalik Eegeesiak said consultations that had taken place months earlier did not include Inuit in a meaningful way. The same appears true in the narwhal decision, as Gabriel Nirlungayuk, director of Nunavut Tunngavik's wildlife department, said Fisheries has not explained its actions. Ottawa does hold a trump card in Article 5 of the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement, which states that "government retains the ultimate responsibility for wildlife management." Yet the clause before that one should not be forgotten: "there is a need for an effective role for Inuit in all aspects of wildlife management, including research." There is room for much improvement on that front. Let's insist that 2011 be the year of engaging Inuit in decisions that affect their territory -- they will be the ones bearing the brunt of these decisions
Cancun not the right climate for MLAs Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, December 31, 2010
Little significant news came from the United Nations' latest climate conference in Cancun, Mexico earlier this month, other than reports that delegates had reached yet another non-binding agreement to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
Still, climate change is very much on the mind of Northerners. Many want to see the government take some form of action toward negating its effects, whether it be tougher emissions standards or more hydro instead of dirty diesel-powered electricity in the territory. Of course, a call for action does not translate into a blank cheque on spending, especially if it appears pointless and wasteful.
Last year's NWT delegation to the conference in Copenhagen, Denmark had that appearance. With five MLAs and three GNWT bureaucrats, it was hard not to write off them off as just another junket-craving group of politicians and bureaucrats seeking to hobnob with international celebrities and opinion makers.
It seemed hypocritical to send such a large group. If we're trying to fight climate change, and air travel is a major contributor of greenhouse gases, it seemed misguided to send eight people halfway around the world, burning fossil fuels all the way.
In any event, NWT residents hardly got their $55,000-worth for the trip. Environment Minister Michael Miltenberger acknowledged as much in an interview with Yellowknifer last month, when explaining why only one GNWT delegate - director of environment Ray Case - was attending the Cancun conference, on the federal government's dime.
Miltenberger deserves some credit for his tacit admission that Copenhagen proved to be a bust. No doubt, the GNWT needs to be kept apprised of international developments, so it made sense to have Case at the Cancun conference - but we don't need a whole bunch of MLAs soaking up the sun in Mexico for that.
We need our politicians here asking questions of our government on how it intends to fight climate change and adapt to its effects at home, and that's the way it should be.
The decision has been long awaited considering the project's proponents submitted their major application for the pipeline six years ago. Those years have concluded with a green light for the project.
Instead of jubilation and mass celebrations, however, in Fort Simpson at least there's an air of quiet acceptance. The decision is good news, the project is still alive, but there are serious questions about how long that status will be maintained.
A lot of large obstacles stand between the dream of a pipeline and a working conduit for natural gas not the least of which are economic feasibility and the current low price of the commodity. There are also the 200 conditions that the board's approval is dependent on and the thousands of permits.
While some are holding out hope many people are taking a realistic view about the chances of a pipeline bringing economic prosperity to the Deh Cho region. As Fort Simpson Mayor Sean Whelly said, no one is holding their breath.
It's good, therefore, to see groups taking steps to ensure whether or not the pipeline is built they have a plan for their economic future. Dehcho Regional Helicopters is a perfect example.
The 100 per cent aboriginal owned company was formed in 2004 by the investment arms of Acho Dene Koe First Nation, the Fort Simpson Metis Nation, Nahanni Butte Dene Band, Sambaa K'e Dene Band and Jean Marie River First Nation. The organizations wanted to capitalize on the exploration and seismic activities that were taking place.
Since then the company has prospered. In 2008 the business purchased its first helicopter for $1.6 million. The NWT Chamber of Commerce named it the 2010 Business of the Year.
Most recently the company's ownership base has expanded to include the economic arms of Pehdzeh Ki First Nation of Wrigley and Liidlii Kue First Nation of Fort Simpson. Every First Nation in the Nahendeh region is now part of Dehcho Regional Helicopters. The company is an example of what can be achieved when First Nations come together and work co-operatively on a solid business plan. While Dehcho Regional Helicopters would benefit if the Mackenzie Gas Project went forward it has other contracts to supply revenue.
If the optimists are right, however, and the pipeline becomes a reality, strong partnerships like Dehcho Regional Helicopters will allow the region to draw economic benefits from the Mackenzie Gas Project.
You've lived with the pipeline's hope of economic improvement, discussed the possible consequences to the environment and how to leave a smaller footprint on the land for decades.
So if you see me around town, I'd rather hear about the pipeline from you. I've got a lot to learn.
The greatest pleasure of my job is being invited into people's lives and communities. At no time is the honour felt more keenly than at Christmas - a time when communities are in full bloom celebrating family and friends and when I'm missing my own on the East Coast. I had the pleasure of feasting and dancing with you at the Midnight Sun Complex, hearing your songs at the Community Christmas Concert in the lovely igloo church and seeing a thoughtful play at the Baptist Church.
The play, Miracle on Mackenzie Road, discusses the consequences of a future in which the Christmas season has been stripped of religion and how the message of Christ is critical to keep it from becoming just another consumerist holiday.
Christ is inseparable from Christmas.
So are children.
While I'm not qualified to talk to you about God or children (I don't have any), I do know the latter's importance to communities. It's often in something's absence that we see its real value, so with that in mind I'll share a story of Christmas from another coast.
Croque is a community drawing its last breaths among rotting fishing boats at the tip of Newfoundland's Northern Peninsula. Youth left with the cod and two years ago Croque's K-12 school had three students. The principal/teacher/secretary had to join the three boys, aged 10, 11 and 13, to make up a doubles match in the school's main sport - ping-pong.
The wooded and well-protected little harbour, around which the three boys travelled to school by foot and snowmobile, is beautiful and quiet. But one evening a year something very special happens in Croque.
All foot prints and snowmobile tracks lead to the community hall, glowing with light and laughter over a frozen harbour. It's the school Christmas concert and every soul from Croque and neighbouring Grandois, whose residents keep an axe by the pond from which they gather their water, are there.
The boys don disguises as they go through their elaborate skits and warm all hearts in a conspiracy - for one evening they pretend there are more than three boys and they all still live in a busy little harbour where swarms of children jig rock and outnumber the gulls.
It's not true and most return home to remember their children are in Alberta and the proud traditions and culture formed over a century in their little corner have little place in the modern world.
But the play and a few moments of wonderful make believe, crammed shoulder to shoulder in a little hall, is as great a Christmas gift as any.
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